It was senior night for Kennedy’s Christian McKee and the Kennedy stands were filled with fans. A line of dyed blonde heads on both teams made swimmers indistinguishable -- until they hit the water. From that point on, eighth-ranked Washington dominated Kennedy, 125-45.

Washington seniors Brian Kopec and Scott Allison, junior Morgan Barnes and sophomore Josh Hughes led the team with two individual wins each. Chandler Heisler was the sole winner for Kennedy, winning the 50 yard freestyle in 22.83.

Despite the one sided result, these in-town meets are something that the athletes look forward to.

“It’s always fun to have in-town meets. We meet at Wash and carpool over here. These are the meets we all truly enjoy,” said Kopec.

Sometimes, the fun comes from getting to compete in events the swimmers don’t normally swim.

“This is the first time I’ve gotten to swim the 100 without being dead from the 200 and 500. This is the first opportunity I’ve had to not have a relay exchange, to go from a dead start and see what I can do,” said Kopec.

The result was pleasing—Kopec won the event in 52.90.

Part of the fun is evident on both teams—the dyed-blonde hair on almost every head. It’s a tradition in swimming, as is shaving heads for championship season.

“I’ve done it all four years. I always saw the high school boys (with blonde hair). I’ve always told myself it’s an incentive to shave at the end of the year,” said Allison.

Washington also won the JV meet, 131-37

 WASHINGTON 125, KENNEDY 45
200 medley relay -- Wash (Josh Kehoe, Trenton Greif, Scott  Allison, Nick Durin) 1:50.12; 200 free – Josh Hughes (W) 1:53.27; 200 IM – Mo Green (W) 2:16.49; 50 free – Chandler Heisler (K) 22.83; 100 fly – Allison (W) 1:01.11; 100 free – Brian Kopec (W) 52.90; 500 free – Hughes (W) 5:04.58; 200 free relay -- Wash (Morgan Barnes, Green, Hughes, Scott) 1:36.69; 100 back – Morgan Barnes (W) 1:00.15; 100 breast – Kopec (W) 1:12.11; 400 free relay -- Wash (Barnes, Ian Ford, Kehoe, Hughes) 3:38.07.